Voters warm to Medicare cuts

The federal government appears to be winning the public over on its approach to budget cuts to Medicare with a new poll showing voters to be either evenly split or in support of cost-saving measures flagged so far.

The latest Australian Financial Review/ Nielsen Poll shows 52 per cent of voters support the introduction of a means test for the bulk billing of patients who visit the doctor while 46 per cent are opposed.

The more controversial proposal, which the government is less likely to adopt, of a $6 co-payment for all patients who visit the doctor, has the voters evenly divided.

Of those polled, 49 per cent support the concept and 49 per cent are opposed.

When asked whether the federal government needs to reduce the cost of Medicare, 50 per cent agreed and 43 per cent disagreed.

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The debate about Medicare was kick-started about a month ago by Health Minister
Peter Dutton
, who said the current spending trajectory for health was unsustainable. The federal government’s commission of audit is believed to have suggested measures along the lines of those which have been flagged and the government is keen to start a debate to help build momentum ahead of the May budget.

Labor has been campaigning against impending budget cuts to health in the lead-up to the April 5 Senate elections in Western Australia. The poll shows there is majority support among Labor, Greens and Coalition voters for means testing of bulk billing.

With the $6 co-payment, 64 per cent of Coalition voters are in support while 61 per cent of Labor voters and 69 per cent of Greens voters are opposed. With reducing the cost of Medicare, most Coalition voters are in favour, the Greens are evenly split and most Labor voters are opposed.